Newsroom

Queens Gazette wrote about the Astoria Against Violence rally Senator Gianaris attended in response to recent groping incidents in the neighborhood. It is important that we work together to keep our streets safe.

What started out as a single post on a local Web site WhyLeaveAstoria.com (WLA) about a woman who was groped by a man riding a bicycle, culminated in 45 women coming out with their shared experiences, two arrests and a rally organized by two of the victims to speak out against sexual harassment and abuse.

New York Times editorialized the need for the Governor to veto any legislative district lines not drawn in a bipartisan manner. We need to create an independent redistricting commission now.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York has taken a strong stand against gerrymandering. He put forward a good bill that would create an independent commission to draw political districts and promised to veto any new maps that are “partisan.” Albany’s pols are not giving up.

Mr. Cuomo’s bill went nowhere, despite the fact that a hefty majority of legislators signed a pledge in 2010 to support such a commission. The old-style task force is now drawing up maps, and the business-as-usual crowd is trying to figure out how to get around the veto threat.

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle editoriliazed on the need for lawmakers to keep their promises and pass independent redistricting. We need a special session to vote on this issue and establish a fair process.

When Gov. Andrew Cuomo returns from his summer vacation at an undisclosed location somewhere in New York state, he should move swiftly on critically important post-session loose ends such as redistricting.

On page 17 of his 2010 campaign handbook, The New NY Agenda: A Plan for Action, Cuomo made it clear that he would "fight" for an independent redistricting commission.

The Capitol transcribed parts of the energy panel Senator Gianaris participated in earlier this month.

All the pieces are in place to develop a sustainable and efficient energy supply in New York State except one: leadership.

That was the consensus from a panel of experts, advocates and government officials who said New York has the capacity to grow its wind, solar and natural-gas energy production, while also conserving more power and improving the electric grid—as long as there’s a plan for doing so.

Astoria and Jackson Heights officials praised Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s formal challenge to the results of the 2010 U.S. census filed last week, which singled out what he called a severe undercount in two of the borough’s fastest-growing neighborhoods.

The lawmakers said that while the challenge could not bring back the two congressional seats the state will lose, it could bring needed federal money to the state if successful.

“If the consequences were not so serious, the census numbers for Astoria would be laughable,” said state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria).

Queens Gazette wrote about joint-legislation, sponsored by Senator Gianaris and Assemblymember Simotas, that Governor Cuomo signed into law. The bill further protects law enforcement personnel during investigations.

State Senator Michael Gianaris and Assemblymember Aravella Simotas announced that Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed a bill they sponsored cracking down on criminals who attempt to impede felony investigations through the use or installation of explosive devices and other hazardous materials.

Queens, NY – Senator Michael Gianaris applauded the passage of a new ethics reform law, the Public Integrity Act of 2011, which was signed into law by Governor Cuomo. Senator Gianaris voted in favor of the bill when it was brought to a vote in the Senate during this legislative session. The law increases transparency, establishes more stringent disclosure requirements, and creates a new, independent ethics panel to oversee elected officials.

City Hall News hosted an energy panel to discuss New York State's energy future. Senator Gianaris was invited to participate in the panel since his Senate district is home to more than 60% of New York City's power generating plants.

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Moving forward will require a range of new initiatives, panelists said – including conservation measures such as retrofitting buildings to be more efficient, and installing smart meters to let electric customers monitor and control their power use more closely.

“We have to balance all of these resources,” said Sergej Mahnovski, senior advisor and director of the Office of Energy Policy and Infrastructure at the city Department of Environmental Protection. “There is no magic bullet, so we have to be careful.”

Queens Times Ledger wrote about the need for revised parking regulations in Sunnyside, which would alleviate much of the congestion and make it easier for residents to travel through their neighborhood streets.

Sunnyside business owners and western Queens officials want the city Department of Transportation to change the parking rules along Queens Boulevard, saying the rules benefit commuters at the expense of local businesses.

Ciaran Staunton, who opened the pub and coffee shop Molly Blooms at Queens Boulevard near 43rd Street in Sunnyside in March, said his morning business has been hindered because of a no-standing rule on the boulevard from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. between 39th and 49th streets Monday through Friday.

QUEENS, N.Y. – Senator Michael Gianaris and Assemblymember Aravella Simotas announced that Governor Cuomo has signed a bill they sponsored cracking down on criminals who attempt to impede felony investigations through the use or installation of explosive devices and other hazardous materials.

The law takes effect amid a nationwide surge in felons – specifically narco-traffickers – “booby-trapping” the transport and storage locations of illegal goods. This practice endangers law enforcement personnel seeking to prevent the spread of contraband in our communities.